COLUMBUS, Ohio — The City of Columbus is proposing updating zoning codes to allow developers to keep up with the population growth in the city.
The city estimates it will need 200,000 new housing units in the next year to keep up with demand, but Mayor Andrew Ginther said the current zoning codes will make that difficult to achieve.
The city’s zoning codes have not been updated for 70 years.
“Modernizing our city zoning code is one of the most powerful things we can do to change our trajectory and quite honestly we cannot change this trajectory until we update the code,” Ginther said.
The city is looking to create six new codes that would allow for the development of taller, mixed-use buildings on the main streets of city neighborhoods in a more streamlined process.
“These standards will make buildings more attractive, make room for housing and businesses and make a neighborhood more walkable and transit more accessible,” said Ginther.
Updating the codes would allow for the creation of 88,000 new homes in the targeted areas, versus 6,000 new homes with the way the codes are currently written, according to the city.
“These have been specifically chosen in corridors across Columbus, specific areas where those streets function as the main streets of those communities areas that we believe that when we talk about more height, those areas are ready for it, the infrastructure will be there to support those communities,” said Rob Dorans, zoning committee chair for Columbus City Council.
Developers will be able to build even taller if they promise to allocate 20-30% of the properties to affordable housing.
The news was welcomed by Leah Evans, president and CEO of Homeport, which looks to build affordable housing in Columbus.
“The zoning code allows us to go into different places that maybe we weren’t able to access before but now the code is opening up some of the land use opportunities. We will be able to build new apartments and new homes in those spaces too,” Evans said.
The new codes will allow developers like Homeport to collaborate more with other developers and include space for affordable housing in mixed-income developments.
“If you can build in that inclusivity in terms of income ranges and job types and different people in a community that also is gonna give you that neighborhood longevity,” she said.
The proposal will go in front of city council on Monday night.
If it is accepted, there will be a 60-day public comment period. The city also plans to open a “Zone-In Gallery” where residents and developers will be able to come and learn more about the new codes and ask questions to city officials.
To learn more about the proposed changes to the zoning codes, click here.